Why isn’t Arch Manning playing vs. Vanderbilt?
As the Texas Longhorns prepare for their Week 9 game against the Vanderbilt Commodores, they hold a solid record of 6 wins and 1 loss. However, their recent loss to the Georgia Bulldogs has raised some eyebrows. This game will be remembered not just for the defeat, but also for the dramatic moments, including the student section throwing debris onto the field and a controversial call being overturned.
One of the key talking points was Texas’s coaching decision to bench starting quarterback Quinn Ewers in favor of backup Arch Manning for the last two drives of the first half. Unfortunately, Manning’s time on the field didn’t go as planned. The Longhorns punted after six plays on their first drive with Manning, and then he lost a fumble on the second drive. Ewers returned as the quarterback after halftime and didn’t come out again.
Now, as Texas heads to Vanderbilt—who notably upset Alabama earlier this season—Ewers is back as the starting quarterback. This has led to questions about why Manning isn’t getting more playtime, especially after Ewers’s brief benching.
Why Isn’t Arch Manning Playing Today?
Despite the loss to Georgia, Ewers has generally performed well enough this season to keep his starting position. He threw for 211 yards, with two touchdown passes and one interception in that game. In contrast, Manning had only 19 passing yards on three completions before his fumble in the limited time he played.
Manning remains in the backup role for the Vanderbilt game. It’s possible that Ewers now has a shorter leash after being benched, meaning if he struggles again, a change could happen. Manning performed well when Ewers was out with an injury, but those games were against less challenging opponents than Georgia.
Who is Texas’s Starting Quarterback?
Quinn Ewers continues to be the starting quarterback for Texas. The Georgia game was the first time this season where he seemed rattled, prompting head coach Steve Sarkisian to give him some time off the field to regroup. Ewers is set to start against Vanderbilt, but if he has another rough outing, a change may be on the horizon.
Ewers’s Stats:
- 2024 Season: 5 games, 1,101 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns, 4 interceptions
- Career Total: 27 games, 6,757 passing yards, 48 passing touchdowns, 16 interceptions
Texas Quarterback Depth Chart:
- Quinn Ewers: He began his college career at Ohio State, didn’t play his freshman year, then transferred to Texas and secured the starting role. Ewers has another year of eligibility and may consider staying for the 2025 season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft.
- Arch Manning: Coming from a football family, Manning is the nephew of famous quarterbacks Eli and Peyton, and the grandson of Heisman winner Archie Manning. He committed to Texas out of high school and has been waiting for his chance behind Ewers. There’s speculation about how long he will remain in the backup role, especially if Ewers returns for another season.
- Trey Owens: A freshman who was a four-star recruit, Owens hasn’t seen much action yet, playing behind both Ewers and Manning.
With this lineup, the Longhorns are set for an intriguing match against Vanderbilt, and fans will be keeping a close eye on Ewers’s performance as the season progresses.
